KOWTOWED Meaning and
Definition
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The term "kowtowed" is a past tense verb derived from the Chinese word "koutou," which means "to knock one's head on the ground as a sign of respect or worship." In English, it refers to an act of extreme subservience or deference towards someone, often with the intention of gaining favor, displaying obedience, or acknowledging their superiority.
Kowtowing typically involves bowing deeply, touching one's forehead to the ground, and sometimes even performing this action multiple times as a form of ritualistic reverence. Metaphorically, "kowtowed" is used to describe actions that involve excessive submission, groveling, or flattery towards a person or entity perceived to hold power or influence. It implies a lack of assertiveness or individual autonomy, suggesting compliance in the face of authority.
The term "kowtowed" is often employed in contexts where individuals try to appease or ingratiate themselves with someone of higher status, such as a superior in the workplace, a political leader, or an influential figure. It may also be used to describe situations where individuals compromise their principles or values in order to seek favor or avoid conflict. The notion of "kowtowed" carries an undertone of disapproval, highlighting the imbalance of power dynamics and potential loss of personal dignity that comes with excessive deference or subservience.
Common Misspellings for KOWTOWED
Etymology of KOWTOWED
The word "kowtowed" is derived from the Chinese term "kòu tóu" (磕頭). "Kòu" means "knock" or "bump", while "tóu" means "head".
Similar spelling words for KOWTOWED
Conjugate verb Kowtowed
CONDITIONAL
I
would kowtow
we
would kowtow
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would kowtow
FUTURE
I
will kowtow
we
will kowtow
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will kowtow
he/she/it
will kowtow
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FUTURE PERFECT
I
will have kowtowed
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will have kowtowed
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will have kowtowed
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PAST
I
kowtowed
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kowtowed
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kowtowed
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kowtowed
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kowtowed
PAST PERFECT
I
had kowtowed
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had kowtowed
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had kowtowed
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PRESENT
I
kowtow
we
kowtow
you
kowtow
he/she/it
kowtows
they
kowtow
PRESENT PERFECT
I
have kowtowed
we
have kowtowed
you
have kowtowed
he/she/it
has kowtowed
they
have kowtowed
I
am kowtowing
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are kowtowing
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are kowtowing
he/she/it
is kowtowing
they
are kowtowing
I
was kowtowing
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were kowtowing
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were kowtowing
he/she/it
was kowtowing
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were kowtowing
I
will be kowtowing
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will be kowtowing
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will be kowtowing
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will be kowtowing
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will be kowtowing
I
have been kowtowing
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have been kowtowing
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have been kowtowing
he/she/it
has been kowtowing
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have been kowtowing
I
had been kowtowing
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had been kowtowing
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had been kowtowing
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had been kowtowing
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had been kowtowing
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will have been kowtowing
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will have been kowtowing
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will have been kowtowing
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will have been kowtowing
I
would have kowtowed
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would have kowtowed
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would have kowtowed
he/she/it
would have kowtowed
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would have kowtowed
I
would be kowtowing
we
would be kowtowing
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would be kowtowing
he/she/it
would be kowtowing
they
would be kowtowing
I
would have been kowtowing
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would have been kowtowing
you
would have been kowtowing
he/she/it
would have been kowtowing
they
would have been kowtowing
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